Automatic clamping ceiling fixture



May 8, 1928. 1,668,831

A. K. SUTHERLAND AUTOMATIC CLAMPING CEILING FIXTURE Filed July 31. 1925 WITNE. lNj/VTOR 2%" ATTORNEY Patented May 8, 1928.

1,668,831 PATENT arms.

ALEXAhIDER K. SUTHERLAND, F MILWAUKEE, WISOONS II V, ASSIGNOR 'EO MOE- BRIDGES COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE; WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

AUTOMATIC LAMPIN cmmne FIXTURE.

Application filed July 31, 35. Serial flanges.

This invention has for its object to provide a lighting fixture for use on celllngs with automatic globe-clampin means operated by the weight of the globe for causing it to be securely engaged and held in place.

Another object of this invention is to simplify the construction to render it inexpensive to manufacture though strong and durable for all intended purposes.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like characters of reference indicate the same parts in different views,

Fig. 1.is a central sectional view of an automatic clamping ceiling fixture construct- -i ed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a bottom view thereof with the globe removed; a

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on a larger scale with the lamp socket removed and showing in dotted lines the operation of the automatic clamping feature, and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the base.

In these drawings, indicates a base of sheet metal having keyhole slots 11 for engaging the heads of attaching screws 12 for attaehing it to the ceiling in the usual manner, the heads of the screws passing through the large ends ofthe slots and then the base being given a partial turn to cause the narrower ends of the slots to engage with the heads of the screws. The lower portion of the base 10 is cylindrical and upon it is slidably fitted a shell 13 having a downwardly extending annular flange to receive the flared flange of the glass globe 14. A lamp socket 15, preferably of the type known as a sign-receptacle, is secured to the lower end of the base 10 as by having the inturned flange of said base clamped between the sections of the porcelain receptacle and said socket receives the incandescent lamp 16 in the usual manner.

A pair of arms 17 are secured to the base 10 as by having their bent ends passed through slots thereof and clamped between the members of the lamp socket, as shown, while the lower ends of said arms are bent and bolted to a flaring ring 18, which surrounds the neck of the lamp bulb.

Bearing brackets 19 are riveted to the shell 13, each being provided with a pair of downwardly extending pivot ears, in which are pivotally mounted the bent ends of U- shaped clamping arms 20, which may be formed of wire, as shown, and which are curved outwardly to pass through openings 21 in the flaring ring18 so as to have their bentends lie close to the edge of the flange of the shell: and clamp the glass globe. between them. The movements of the shell on the cylindrical portion of the base causes the arms 24; to swing toward or away from the annular flange of the shell by reason of the cam action of the bent portions of said arms bearing on the stationary ring 18 so that when the shell is raised to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3 the flange of the globe maybe freely inserted in the flange of the shell, but when the shell is re leased and allowed to lower with the globe,

the arms swing outwardly to engage the globe and firmly hold it wlthin the flange of the shell the weight of the globe and the shell serving to maintain this clamping action until the globe is again lifted to effect its release.

There is no possibility of the globe being accidentally released as when set screws are relied on, and'the clamping engagement is not such as to injure the globe for the arms engage well within the globe and away from the. edges thereof.

By means i of the automatic clamping holder of this invention the globe may be quickly removed or attached without danger of. breaking the glass and a firm clamping engagement is assured that is incapable of working loose by vibration or jar and there is no danger of stripping threads or of chipping the edge of the globe as with set screw clamping means What I claim asnew and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A ceiling fixture comprisinga base having a cylindrical lower end with an inturned flange, a sign receptacle lamp socket fitting in said base with the flange clamped between the members thereof, arms passing through openings of the flange with their ends clamped between the members of the lamp socket, a ring carried by the arms, a shell slidably mounted on the cylindrical portion of the base, curved clamping arms pivotally mounted on the shell and passingthrough guide openings in the ring whereby vertical movements of the shell on the base cause the clamping arms to swing for clamping a globe between them and the shell.

2. A ceiling fixture comprising a base having a cylindrical lower end with an inturned flange, there being bayonet slots in the flange to receive the heads of attaching screws, arms passing through openings of the flange, a sign receptacle lamp socket secured to said base by clamping the flange and the ends of the arms between its memhers, a flaring ring carried by the arms, a shell slidably mounted on the lower end of the base, bent wire arms pivotally mounted on the shell and passing through openings of the ring whereby vertical movements of the shell cause said wire arms to swing to ard and away from the edge of the shell for clamping a globe between them.

A ceiling fixture comprising a base having a cylindrical lower portion, a lamp socket secured to the lower end of the base, arms secured to the lower end of the base, a flaring guide ring carried by the arms, a shell slidably mounted on the cylindrical portion of the base, U-shaped bent wire arms hinged to the shell and passing throuslli openings of the guide ring, and a globe fitting within the shell and engaged and clamped by the bent ends of the clamping L arms. 7 y

In testimony whereof, I aflix my siguaturii. ALEXANDER K. SUTHERLAND. 

